Brevard Zoo iconic giraffe, Rafiki, euthanized at age 25 after age-related medical issues
The Brevard Zoo's iconic giraffe, Rafiki, has been euthanized after experiencing a series of medical problems, the Viera zoo announced Tuesday.
"We’re heartbroken," the zoo's senior communications manager, Lauren Delgado, said in announcing the news that the 25-year-old giraffe "was humanely euthanized on Sunday following ongoing age-related medical issues."
Rafiki was one of the zoo's original five giraffes when its Expedition Africa area opened in 2003.
Delgado recalled that Rafiki "spent most of his life delighting our zoo community with his 'larger-than-a-giraffe' personality."
In the announcement of Rafiki's death, Jon Brangan, the zoo's deputy director, noted that “Rafiki was the first animal to arrive at the zoo for Africa, and he walked off the trailer ready to make his mark, capturing the hearts of everyone he came across. His magnetic personality never wavered, bringing joy to our staff, volunteers and thousands of visiting guests for nearly 20 years. He will be profoundly missed by our zoo family and our entire community.”
But the zoo said Rafiki's legacy will live on at the zoo.
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His 2-year-old son, Mapenzi, will remain at the zoo to become its new breeding male giraffe.
Rafiki sired more than 12 calves while at the zoo, with the zoo's giraffe matriarchs, Milenna and Johari. Their offspring now reside at various zoos around the country.
“There is no doubt his legacy will live on, in his descendants, in our keepers, in our guests and volunteers, and in the amazing care we provide to all our animals,” said Africa Platform keeper Alyssa Simon. “He will be greatly missed.”
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Rafiki was one of the zoo's first giraffes to participate in voluntary hoof trims and other care, contributing to developing processes for how the zoo cares for giraffes, Simon said.
"He helped our animal care team learn new skills to provide supportive care for older giraffes and preventative care for our younger ones," Simon said.
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The zoo said Rafiki’s age of 25 when he died was unusual for male giraffes, whose median lifespan is about 15.9 years old in Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities.
Rafiki made fewer public appearances at the zoo’s giraffe feeding platform during the last few years, largely because of his arthritis.
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To keep him comfortable, the zoo said its animal care team ensured that Rafiki had regular hoof trims, chiropractic sessions, acupuncture, laser therapy and medication. Last week, Rafiki received a pair of shoes for his feet.
The zoo's statement said that Rafiki recently began losing his appetite, "and we started hospice care, which included an increase in pain medication to keep him comfortable, and daily quality-of-life assessments."
"Unfortunately, Rafiki’s condition and quality of life worsened over the weekend," the statement said. "The zoo’sveterinary and animal-care team decided that euthanasia was the most compassionate choice for him. Rafiki was surrounded by some of the keepers who have cared for him and loved him over the years."
A memorial area has been set up near the front entrance of the zoo for visitors to share specialmemories of Rafiki, bring their favorite photos of him or write us a message.
Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard Zoo giraffe dies: Rafiki euthanized at age 25